CONTENDERS will come from far and wide for the second annual City of Maribyrnong Gift at Pennell Reserve, Braybrook, this Sunday.

The organising committee has attracted some top-class athletes from along the east coast for the main event.

The best of the western suburbs hopefuls are the Hargreaves brothers – Shaun and Mathew – out of Hoppers Crossing.

Both have tasted the ultimate success with Shaun a winner of Tasmania’s La Trobe Gift last season and Mathew victorious in New South Wales’ biggest richest race, the Queanbeyan Gift.

The local entrants will come face to face with some formidable opponents from across the border.

Talk around the traps suggests 2010 Keilor Gift winner Daniel Sammut and Canberra’s Brendan Watt are cherry ripe to spoil the party for the Victorian runners.

Festivities are not confined to the gift itself.

There are 19 events on the card, as well as a number of sideshows that aim to bring the local community together.

Simon Krygger, president of the St Andrews Cricket Club, a driving force behind the event, told maribyrnongweekly.com.au that the event is growing in popularity.

”We’ve received some really positive feedback from the Victorian Athletic League,” he said.

”There have been over 500 entries for various events over the day.

”The track is looking in great condition and the day is a great opportunity for people to get down and see some really quality athletes in a range of events.”

The Maribyrnong Gift has received a real boost from the Maribyrnong City Council’s community grant program.

”They’ve been a big supporter of the event this year,” Krygger said.

The first event is at midday with the starters gun for the Maribyrnong Gift final to be set off at 5pm.

2012 Maribyrnong Gift

Sunday, March 4

Schedule of events

12pm: 70m Frontmarkers Mathew Pipczak Painting and Decorating Open heats

12.20pm: 70m Backmarkers Tommy Weir Open heats

12.45: 120m RACV Under 20 heats

1.05pm: 70m Frontmarkers Mathew Pipczak Painting and Decorating Open final

1.10pm: 70m Backmarkers Tommy Weir Open final

1.15pm: 120m RACV Under 20 final

1.25pm: 120m Braybrook Sporting Club Womens heats

1.50pm: 120m City of Maribyrnong Gift heats

2.25pm: 120m Braybrook Sporting Club Womens final

2.35pm: 120m Girls Little Athletics

2.40pm: 120m Boys Little Athletics

2.50pm: 120m City of Maribyrnong Gift semi-finals

3.10pm: 300m Swazza Transport Veteran/Womens heats

3.50pm: 1600m VCCL Novice final

4pm: 400m Summerhill Drafting Service Open heats

4.40pm: 1600m Sunshine Collectables Open final

4.50pm: 300m Swazza Transport Veteran/Womens final

5pm: 120m City of Maribyrnong Gift

5.10pm: 400m Summerhill Drafting Service Open